Stepladder



July 20, 1954 D. H. BUCKLEY 2,684,193

STEPLADDER Filed Feb. 26, 1952 Patented July 20, 1954 STEPLADDER Duer H. Buckley, Vienna, Ohio, assignor to Francis G. Medley, Poland, Ohio Application February 26, 1952, Serial No. 273,441

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a stepladder and more particularly to a stepladder in which the steps thereon are movable with respect thereto.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a stepladder having the steps thereof adjustable vertically so as to enable a person using the stepladder to position the steps at a convenient height.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a stepladder, the step portions of which are formed as a separate construction including the steps and side rails and movably mounted on the stepladder.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stepladder incorporating means for holding a movable step portion thereof in stationary relation to the remainder thereof.

The stepladder disclosed herein comprises an improvement in the art relating to such devices in that a construction is disclosed wherein the step portion is formed as an individual ladder section positioned for vertical movement on the vertical supporting surfaces of the stepladder. The construction enables the user of the stepladder to adjust the step portion of the ladder to any desired height. For example, the user may move the step portion of the ladder upwardly with respect to the remainder thereof, secure it in position and thereby provide a suitable platform with respect to reaching an object above the ladder. fortably reached by the user, the steps may be re-adjusted so that the user of the device may comfortably reach the object desired. This is particularly advantageous in the painting and washing of ceilings, stair wells and the like wherein a conventional stepladder provides no suitable support and particularly with respect to the height thereof.

The stepladder disclosed herein may be economically formed, readily adjusted and occupies but little more space than a conventional stepladder with stationary steps.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein;

If upon trial the object is not com- Figure 1 is a side view of a stepladder.

Figure 2 is a front view of a stepladder.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

By referring to Figure l of the drawings it will be seen that a stepladder has been disclosed which includes a pair of spaced front legs iii and a pair of spaced rear legs H. The legs ill and H are preferably bowed outwardly at their lower ends (as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings) and secured to one another by means of a fixed step 12. The step 12 extends frontwardly of the legs IE.

The legs ill have recessed longitudinally extending flanges l3 formed thereon (as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings) in oppositely disposed relation for the reception of a movable ladder section comprising a pair of spaced side rails M. secured to one another by a plurality of steps E5. The side rails l4 slidably engage the recessed flanges [3 on the legs i!) of the step ladder and are capable of vertical movement therealong. The upper ends of the legs ii] are secured to a top portion [6 and the ladder section comprising the side rails I l and the steps is is capable of vertical movement on the recessed flanges 53 of the legs [0 between the top portion 55 and the fixed step l2 heretofore referred to.

In order that the ladder section comprising the rails t and the steps I5 may be secured at a desired location between the top portion it and the fixed step it, several brackets are secured to the rails H! and the legs It] for selective interengagement. These brackets comprise a pair of guide brackets l'l' secured to the rails l4 immediately beneath the uppermost step l5 and have rearwardly extending L-shaped sections Hi, portions of which engage the back sides of the flanges [3, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The brackets i! thereby loosely se cure the upper end of the rails Id of the movable ladder section to the flanges l3 and thus to legs I A pair of slotted plates l9 are positioned on the opposed surfaces of the flanges I3 of the legs it and a pair of secondary brackets 20 having projecting lugs 2| thereon are positioned on the rails I l of the ladder section of the device so that the lugs 21 will register with the slotted plates H).

t will thus be seen that when it is desired to move the ladder section carrying the steps !5 vertically with respect to the legs Hi, the lower portion thereof is moved outwardly to disengage 3 the lugs 2! from the slotted plates l9 and the desired movement effected.

In order that the ladder section carrying the steps 55 can be secured against accidental movement, a pair of retaining clamps are positioned on the rails i4 and comprise U-shaped mounting brackets 22 having openings therein through which clamps 23 are slidably positioned. Springs 255 normally tend to rotate the clamps so that oiiset end portions 25 normally lie behind the flanges 63 of legs i0 and thereby hold the ladder section carrying the steps 15 in engagement with the recessed flanges l3 and with the lugs Z i engaging the slotted plates l9. Movement of the ladder section carrying the steps I5 is possible only when the clamps 23 are partially revolved, as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, which permits the offset end portions 25 thereof to slide forwardly alongside the slotted plates l9, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

It will thus be seen that a stepladder has been disclosed which includes a fixed lower step 12 and a fixed top portion 16 and that the plurality of steps 15 are mounted on the side rails 14 which are slidable vertically along the legs H3 which carry the top portion 16 and the fixed step :2. Thus, person using the ladder may position these steps at any desired height to make a com fortable platform with respect to an object above the ladder to be reached by the user.

It will also be seen that the construction is such that it may be economically formed, readily assembled and easily operated and which adds but little weight, and bulk to the conventional stepladder in which all of the steps are fixed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A stepladder having a fixed lowermost step and a top portion and rail receiving formations extending longitudinally between said fixed step and top portion, a ladder section including side rails and steps fixed therebetween slidably mounted on said rail receiving formations, notched plates on said rail receiving formations, projecting brackets on said side rails engaging said notched plates when said side rails are positioned on said rail receiving formations and releasable clamps on said side rails for releasably securing said side rails to said stepladder.

2. A stepladder including spaced vertically standing front legs having recessed flanges formed on the inner opposed sides of said legs and a ladder section including spaced side rails and fixed steps therebetween mounted on said recessed flanges for vertical movement therealong, L-shaped brackets on the upper end of said ladder section, portions of which engage the back sides of said legs, notched plates on said recessed flanges and lug carrying brackets on said ladder sections, said lugs engaging said notched plates and movable clamps on said ladder section for engaging the back sides of said legs to hold said ladder section in fixed position on said recessed flanges and acting to permit said ladder section to be moved away from said recessed flanges to disengage said lugs from said notched plates whereby said ladder section may be moved vertically on said recessed flanges.

References Cited in the file or" this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 794,729 McDonnall July 18, 1905 803,783 Pfeifer et al Nov. 7, 1905 864,044 Thomson Aug. 20, 1907 1,836,163 Goode Dec. 15, 1931 2,612,413 Polak, Jr Sept. 30, 1952 

